A prompt response for ~ Inspiration Monday: Comfortably Numb
COMFORTABLY NUMB
by John Yeo
Henpecked Humphrey is worn down by the demands and blatant unpleasantness brought on by the vulnerability of his wife, Angelique; an invalid who is perhaps not as invalid as he believes. Demanding and cruelly calculating she knows he will never find the courage to leave her. Humphrey, her husband, is a meek, mild-mannered man who always looks on the positive side of any situation and is infrequently rewarded with small favours from this overbearing manipulating monster.
One sunny day Humphrey and Angelique are out walking
“Come along Humphrey! We are falling behind: My legs, even with my stick and my other walking aides will never stand the strain of these hills. You are an impossible man to get along with I will never forget the day after we got married when I had that terrible fall that did irreparable damage to my spine. Are you listening to me or am I talking to myself.”
“Yes Angelique!
“Humphrey! Push harder, we will never keep up if you are going to be lazy. Push the wheelchair harder. Look out there’s a car coming, it may career onto the pavement and kill us both. Look out man!”
“Yes Angelique!”
Just at that moment Bob and Phylis came by, they had just become friendly with Humphrey and Angelique.
“Hello folks!” said Phylis, “How are you both?”
Angelique immediately answered the question. “We’re fine thanks, Humphrey is being a bit difficult at the moment; aren’t you Humphrey?”
“Yes Angelique!”
Bob then smiled and said; “How are things with you Humphrey?”
“Oh! You’re fine aren’t you Humpy? We are out for a walk taking the air.”
“Yes Angelique!”
Phylis then interjected and said, “Angelique; why don’t us girls have a nice cup of tea in this cafe? I’m sure Humphrey won’t mind, and we can let the boys loose to have a pint in that pub across the road.”
“I’m not sure about that! I need Humphrey here to take care of me at all times, don’t I Humphrey?”
“Yes Angelique!”
“I’ll look after you while we sit and enjoy a nice cup of tea and a chat Angelique!” said Phylis.
“I’m not sure about that, you like to be with me all the time don’t you Humphrey?”
“Yes Angelique!”
Bob then said, “It’s OK both, we would hate to come between two lovers who are devoted to each other as you two obviously are. How long have you two lovebirds been married?”
Angelique then immediately responded, “Thirty eight years, we met each other at university didn’t we Humpy?”
“Yes Angelique!”
Bob then said with a smile, “That must have been a red letter day in your life Humphrey! Certainly a day to remember.”
“Yes it was,” Angelique answered swiftly, “We are very happy and life is comfortable. Aren’t we Humpy?”
“Yes Angelique!”
“Come on then! Humphrey push on or we will be late for our yoga and relaxation session. Goodbye you two; lovely talking to you; we always enjoy a chat. Don’t we Humpy?”
“Yes Angelique!”
“Come on then! My legs are getting stiffer by the second. Get a move on Humphrey! Push harder or we will be late.”
“Yes, My Angel”
Bob was stunned at this, as they watched the couple making their way up the hill to the village hall. Humphrey was almost bent double pushing the wheelchair up the hill.
“Phylis that bloke is so worn down he has got past uncomfortable and is numb with shock. Comfortable and numb.”
“Yes Bob, you’re absolutely right. Comfortably numb! I couldn’t have put it better myself.”
Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
johnandmargaret1607 
Sad that life has come to that…for both of them.
Thank you Jessie! Nice to hear from you again. 😊 I am sure this is an extreme example of a sad union. I tried to paint the fictional picture as sad as I possibly could. Have a nice weekend my friend. ☮️
You painted it very well! 🙂
Thank you Jessie 🌺💝
Ah, the abusive relationships don’t always involve violence. You did a great job illustrating many of the other facets of such relationships – putting down the other person, saying you need them, isolating them. A sad story, but well done.
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